Connect on Slack

Join our Hack Productivity-only Slack channel. You can use this channel to not only talk in real time with other participants (and maybe find a teammate), and also to ask questions of the competition managers. Just make sure to be respectful – we all have the same goal (building cool stuff).

Please note that the "Best Pre-Coded App Idea" award does not share these requirements.

Your submitted application must also focus on helping users to increase their productivity in any area of life (personal, professional, family/household, etc.).

Can I used other APIs or datasets in my app?

You may use whatever APIs, SDKs, and datasets you choose, as long as you are authorized to use and distribute them. Remember, you MUST meet the requirements above in order to be eligible for a prize.

Why do I have to upload a video?

The Popular Choice award is determined by public voting. A video helps ensure that all users can view and experience your app. The video will also be helpful to the panel of judges and will give you the opportunity to explain your approach to designing your application. You may create a screencast or use a handheld video camera to make your video, or choose any other method that demonstrates the application’s features.

What should I put in my video?

Aside from your actual app, your submission video is one of the most important parts of your entry. In fact, it’s often one of the first, and sometimes only, things that judges and voters view. Make a great first impression by following these tips on what to include in your video:

Tell your story step-by-step.Y our video should include an explanation of the problem addressed and a demo of the app itself. While audio isn’t required, narration or text bubbles can help judges and voters understand your submission.

Keep it simple. Per the official rules, your video shouldn’t be longer than five minutes. In the words of Leonardo da Vinci, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

Don’t wait until the last minute to upload your video. Keep in mind that the time it takes to upload/process a video on YouTube or Vimeo varies greatly depending on the format of your original video, the file size, upload traffic and Internet connection speed, and could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours or more.

How can I provide Devpost with access to test my app?

You must provide a way for us to test your solution at no cost.

Apps that include hardware and wearable technology:

If the submission runs on or includes proprietary hardware or hardware (including wearable technology) that is not widely available to the public, the Sponsor and/or Administrator reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to require the submitter to provide access to the physical hardware solution, or device required to test the solution, upon request.

Traditional Applications: For solutions running on widely available devices or hardware, please allow us to test using one of the following methods.

Android solution: Upload an .apk file in the submission form or provide a link for us to download your solution in the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.

iOS Applications: If your solution is available on the App Store please provide a link in the “Website URL” field on the submission form. If you charge for your app, please also provide a promo code.

If your solution is not yet publicly available, send a test build using one of the following methods:

DiawiSend us your beta file via Diawi. After uploading your file, Diawi creates a unique short URL to access the installation page (for ex: aBcDeF). When opened in Safari on the iOS device, the page will display a link to install the application. Note that you will need to include provisioning for one or more of the UDIDs below.

Beta by Crashalytics You may send the Administrator a beta test via Crashalytics. Use the Administrator’s testing email (testing@devpost.com) and UDID’s to provision a build and send the Administrator a link via the “Share Links” button. Add the testing link to the Enter a Submission form under “iOS Build Link”. Beta by Crashalytics is a free service. Please review the how-to for their Beta Distribution tool.

Administrator UDIDs:

iPhone 5 (iOS 8.3) 4c4270daadcf6f2dcd38ef407c38c01c3fa849b8

iPhone 5 (iOS 8.3) c94acc0069278cee4b38e4d27ae3f838bf50aa79

TestFlight / iTunes Connect Enter the Administrator’s email address to share a build for testing. The Administrator’s TestFlight account email is: testing@devpost.com. Please note that if you add the Administrator as an “External Tester” your Application will need to go through Beta App Review before you can send your build. This could lead to delay and in order for your Submission to be eligible, you must send your test build before the end of the Challenge Submission Period. To learn more about TestFlight via iTunes Connect, please review the iTunes Connect Developer Guide and the TestFlight Video Tutorial.

Windows Phone solution: Upload an .xap file in the submission form or provide a link for us to download your solution in the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.

Web/Mobile Web: Provide a link for us to access your solution on the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.

BlackBerry: Upload the appropriate installation files in the submission form or provide a link for us to download your installation file in the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.

Kindle:Upload the appropriate installation files on the submission form or provide a link for downloading your installation file in the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.

Mac OS: Upload the appropriate installation files in the submission form or provide a link for us to download your installation file in the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.

Windows PC: Upload the appropriate installation files (.exe) in the submission form or provide a link for us to download your .exe file in the “Testing Instructions” field on the submission form.

Who is eligible to enter the competition?

The hackthon is open to individuals, and teams of individuals, who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry. Thehackthon is also open to legally registered corporations or organizations that employ fewer than 50 people at the time of entry. (See the next question for large organization eligibility.).

Please review the Official Rules for complete eligibility requirements.

We are an organization. Can we enter?

Organizations with 50 or fewer employees (who are not government entities) may enter and compete for cash prizes. Organizations with more than 50 employees may enter and compete only for the Large Organization Recognition Award, which has no cash prize.

Do the apps have to be newly created for this competition, or can they be preexisting?

Can more than one person work on an app and receive credit for it? And if the app wins a prize, how will the prize money be split among the creators?

Yes, teams are encouraged. If a team of individuals or an organization is selected as an award winner, the full prize amount will be sent to the submitter. It will be up to the winning team or organization to reallocate the prize money between the team members, as they deem it appropriate. [Please note the alternate process for submitters who are public sector employees. See full rules for details.]

Can my app win more than one prize?

Yes. All submissions entered by eligible individuals, teams of individuals, and organizations with 50 or fewer employees can compete for one category award, as well as the Popular Choice, Best Student App, and Most Creative Use of BOTH a Microsoft Office 365 API and Add-in Awards. Large organizations are only eligible for the Large Organization Recognition Award.

Can I enter more than one app?

Yes. There is no limit to how many times an eligible person, team, or organization may enter. An individual may also participate on behalf of more than one team, corporation, or nonprofit organization. However, if you submit two or more solutions that are identical or substantially similar, the Sponsor and Devpost reserve the right to disqualify all the submissions or require you to choose one submission to enter into the competition.

Do I retain intellectual property ownership?

Yes. By submitting an app to the challenge, you do not transfer any intellectual property rights to the Sponsor or Devpost. The Sponsor and ChallengePost will have the right to feature all app entered in the competition for promotional purposes. See the Official Rules for details.

What else will you do with my submission?

The Sponsor and Devpost will have the right to publicly display your submission on the challenge website. They will also be allowed to publicize your name on the challenge website in connection with the submission and the challenge during the competition and for 36 months after its conclusion. For more information on publicity rights, please see the Official Rules.

How does public voting work?

Visitors to the site can vote for as many submissions as they like, but no more than once for a single submission. At the end of the public voting period, the votes will be tallied and verified to determine the Popular Choice award winner. Have more questions about public voting? Check out our handy public voting help articles.